The cause of the accident was thought to be an overloaded van, containing sand, running along the degraded bridge, crossing Krông Năng River, according to the local police’s initial investigation.

The van’s driver, his companion and a 13-year-old girl riding on an electrical-engine bicycle all fell into the river.

At the scene in Xuân Phú Commune of Ea Kar District, local police announced that the bridge had split in two, the truck was upside down in the river and only the girl had been taken to the health centre. The other two victims suffered only minor injuries.

The collapsed bridge obstructed traffic until 3.30pm Friday.

The van driver, Nguyễn Thành Luân, 32, was a local man, who told police he had been hired to carry sand from Krông Pắk District to Xuân Phú Commune.

Luân and his companion were held in custody at the communal police station for further investigation. The district’s police force will also join the investigation. -- VNS